Unpaid Lunch Money in Claremont, NH

Today I read this, in the news: "As school lunch debt piles up, Claremont considers hiring collection agency. Debt tallied at $32,000."

I do not live in Claremont. As a matter of fact, I live in another state.

When my own children were in school and I was in financial distress, finding lunch money, on a daily basis, was one of the most difficult things I had to do. I was a wreck, all the time, trying to keep up with life, in general.

We received so much support from our community that I keep crying every time I try to talk about it.

It's hard to explain how crazy everything is when you are in financial distress and busting your tail to not be. It's so nuts.

It's so nuts that receiving a bill about the lunch money can send you over the edge.

So I want to donate to lower this number. To lower this 32K.

To give back to others as I was given to.

What I want to know is does anyone want to join me in doing so?

I phoned the SAU 6 Office in Claremont, NH and spoke with a kind person, there, who was open to all of my thoughts on this matter. She kindly stated that we could donate, if we'd like. She also wrote down every single thing I told her about the challenges of daily lunch for children when one's life is in disarray, financial or otherwise. Or financial AND otherwise. 

My personal goal is that we even lower this number by $10, $20, $30, $50, $100, $200, etc.

Whatever we lower the number to, this community will be in a stronger place to have a more reasonable conversation about their future. About how to ensure that families don't end up with bills and that children still get fed lunch, each and every day.

And, as it has on my own Facebook page, it can start a conversation amongst your community. About financial distress, about grocery distress, about emotional distress about families in crisis, even if they don't appear to you to be in crisis.

If you'd like to donate, I will be sending a letter to state what the money is being donated for, to: SAU 6 Office, 165 Broad Street, Claremont, NH 03743. 

$32,000. 
We can get to it $5 at a time, $10 at a time, or more.

Consider donating the amount you'd pay for one day of lunch for your child.

Then let's all address this in our own local schools. Let's ensure we are helping one another stay upright.

That is, after all, what community is for. That's what community did for me. And that's what I want to do back. We are all neighbors. We are all community.

Thank you for assisting, if you so choose. 

Story, here: https://www.mynbc5.com/article/as-school-lunch-debt-piles-up-claremont-considers-hiring-collection-agency/23666756

My name is Annie Cooper.
I live in Essex Junction, Vermont.
I was inspired to assist the families in Claremont due to the fact that my community, here in Essex Junction,  Vermont, helped my children and I when we were in emotional and economic stress.
Relationship-wise, I do not know these families in Claremont but I feel a connectivity due to the fact that the current Director at the Claremont Recreational Center was one of those most directly involved in ensuring my family was well-cared for here in Vermont, when he was a Director at our own Essex Junction Recreation and Parks, back in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
The funds are intended to be donated to SAU 6 Office, 165 Broad Street, Claremont, NH 03743 to assist in covering the costs of the families' outstanding balances, which total $32,000. Any leftover amount is intended to also be donated to cover any future lunch money needs for that district.
News Video Story with Annie Cooper